Thursday, October 27, 2016

When told of the mishap at the Tunku Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru, a family member responded to say some idiot will blame it on some politicians.

So happen few other fires broke out in Johor including another one at the same hospital. There was a viral message that blamed Dato Najib for bringing bad luck. Typical of Malaysians to be quick with their blame. Usually they do not bother to find out the line of responsibility to direct the right blame.

Because of that, the real culprit could lie low and get away. Crime and corruption are at large. It gets so large and beyond control of law enforcement to handle. Pity on MACC, now that they have to operate on a twice slashed budget. An incentive plan should be considered to motivate them.

Ultimately, the people have to bear with it. In the light of the new regulation to limit subsidised cooking oil to only 1 kg package, an uproar is only expected and the usual blame will be leveled at Ministers.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

But we need to get better at finding ways to disagree on matters of policy while agreeing on questions of decency and civility. How we talk to each other, treat each other, respect each other. - Hillary Clinton

There is a political tradition in America, where both presidential candidates share a stage together for the last time before the election. It is at the white-tie only Al Smith Dinner to raise fund for charity and hosted by the Archbishop of New York.

It is a lighted-hearted event, where both candidates would traditionally give humorous roast speeches to poke fun at themselves and their opponents. This year it featured Hillary and Trump.

Friday, October 21, 2016

Never bothered to listen to the budget speech. More keen on the broad area of past performance, forecast, challenges, strategy and focus.

Rather wait out for the next morning paper for the details.

The budget to be tabled by Dato Najib in Parliament this evening is important. It will be the first budget after the loss of oil revenue. Meeting public expectation, or more accurately, to meet the expectation of a public so used to government subsidy will be a challenge.

One can expect much hue and cry, especially from among the Bumiputera community experiencing the transition or government buzzword, transformation from dependent on NEP to be more independent, competitive and merit, from highly subsidised economy to a more efficient and focused subsidy system, and towards high income economy.

In case Dato Shafie Apdal people wish to divert and project the case to Chief Minister, Dato Musa Aman, this arrest has to do more with his position as Deputy Director of SWD which he retired from last year. More in The Star here.

All it takes a few bad apple to give a bad perception of state government. For any party, be it politician or businessmen or retired civil servants, to be accused of corruption, there must be collaborating in service civil servant/(s). How much further up and to the past will MACC pursue?

The news report mentioned suspect's age as 62. It raises the suspicion that the person is Lam Lim Beng. He was 58 when Sabahkini exposed him in their posting in 2011 here.

Friday, October 14, 2016

According to a concerned insider, the abuse and corruption of funds allocated to KKLW for the rural area to build homes for the poor, and bring basic necessities of water, electricity, and road including solar energy for the interior is still at large.

The current Minister, Dato Ismail Sabri has assigned his power under the Akta Perolehan 1949 (Semakan 1973) (see above) to the Chief Secretary (KSU) and his Deputy (TKSU). The current KSU for KKLW is Dato Arif Abdul Rahman. He was the former State Financial Officer of Selangor that gave problems to Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan many years back.

The modus operandi could involved collaboration with a Minister's officer that was once accused of selling away a by-election to PKR. However, it is new KKLW Minister, Ismail Sabri that is often mentioned in rumours and assigned blame.

When Shafie Apdal was Minister for KKLW, he assigned the power to sign Letter of Award to KSU and TKSU but maintain control by insisting any LOA must get his clearance.

Monday, October 10, 2016

When news of the RM114 million seizure from the homes of Sabah Water Department (SWD) Director and his Deputy broke last Wednesday, question was asked as to why would someone keep so much money in the house.

One insider close to the case confided that it is a career-first to see more than RM40 million cash kept at home.

Another involved former Political Secretary to Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop but the amount pales in comparison.

The Star here reported the seizure include RM53.7 mil (RM45 mil from director's home and RM7.5 mil from deputy's), 127 land titles, luxury cars, watches, handbags, and jeweleries. Also being pursued are funds stashed abroad.

A friend first impression of the news, "This is surely a political slush fund. It is must be someone with a penchant for luxury and glamorous woman."

Monday, October 03, 2016

It is interesting that Rocky Bru here believed Bigdog had "crossed the line". A chance encounter Friday night will highlight further what it means.

Last Sunday, Bigdog had called upon Mukhriz to take a leave from his
position as ANSARA President. [Read The Star here.] Too long for Mukhriz to not do much after coming out victorious from a leadership challenge many years ago.

MyKMU posting here justified the inconsistency in Mukhriz's suggestion to limit PM tenure but reluctant to give room for younger blood after more than 22 years. Though Secretary General gave a statement but Mukhriz speech had "crossed the line".

Helen Ang here did touched on the visible reasons why Mahathir "crossed the line" to justify Mahathir loyalist bloggers for leaving the man. There is more than only the two. Many do not trust the real motive of Mahathir's current fight.